Booster seats on aircraft ?

[Guest Timt0]

Does anyone know if u can use a booster seat on a plane ? Will make the journey comfortable for my son !!

[Rob and Mel]

Who are you flying with?

 

I would suggest you email them and then you have there view in writhing in case there is any problems when you fly.

 

Rob and Mel

[snifter]

You need a proper car seat not a sit on booster one iirc. Contact your airline directly and ask exactly what they allow on board to use and the dimensions. Seat will have to be narrow enough to fit into an airline seat. If it doesn't it'll go in the hold for the duration. Usually you fit your car seat and then put the child in that held in with the harness. As you can see below in the Qantas blurb, you need to specifically inform them about the car seat and verify it is ok and book for it to get the right seating. Don't just assume with any airline its ok to turn up on the day and expect it to be ok. Always clear it beforehand and get it in writing.

 

 

For example, BA state

 

Child seats and carrycots - Extension seat belts and extra seatsAn infant aged 0 to less than 2 years may sit on the parent or guardian's lap using an extension seat belt. Alternatively, if an extra seat is purchased, an acceptable forward facing car seat may be used for an infant aged 6 months to less than 3 years. The infant child restraint device AmSafe System can be used for a child aged 12 months to 4 years. For children over 2 years an individual seat is required.

 

 

 

Qantas say

 

Child Restraint Device- The safest way for an infant or small child to travel on an aircraft is in a Child Restraint Device such as a car seat. Infants are allowed to be carried on your lap however research has demonstrated it does not provide the protection of a child seat.A car seat must be pre-approved for use as a child seat at least 24 hours before departure. Approval of car seats cannot be obtained on departure at the airport. You must buy a seat on the plane to ensure the use of a pre-approved car seat or CARES restraint device. To buy a seat on an aircraft for your infant and get pre-approval for the use of a child seat, contact your local Qantas Office.The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is a pre-approved alternative to car seats on an aircraft. This harness style restraint device is suitable for children aged two to four years, weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb). Find out more about the CARES system.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest Dazzlin]

Hi Tim, I had to buy a car seat to take my 22-month-old son from the UK to Oz and back. I flew with Qantas, and had to give them the manufacturer and model details so that their special handling unit could approve it ahead of the flight. For info., it was a conventional Britax car seat.

 

I have to say we didn't enjoy the experience. For no reason I can understand, they will try to put you in the back row where the seats may not recline. We had a woman then recline her seat back on to my son's legs, and got upset when he started kicking the back of her chair! This was two years ago. At the time, there was a new product on the market, similar to a 5-point harness, that you could put over the back of the seat. Unfortunately, Qantas were not aware of it and the computer said "no" - things may be different now. Take a look at http://www.kidsflysafe.com. Much lighter than a car seat!

 

Hope this helps.

[Guest Dazzlin]

Hi Tim, I see Qantas has now approved the use of the CARES harness - see here: http://qantas.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/qantas.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=295&p_created=1121217835&p_sid=YeTPMyAk&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSwxJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0yLDM1JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9Mi4zNSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWhhcm5lc3M!&p_li=&p_topview=1

[Guest Dazzlin]

...and I've just noticed that snifter had already posted this - doh!

[Guest Ryan T. Lion]

We just flew Singapore Airlines and there was a goblin in the row in front in a traditional car seat..... Just so ya know.

 

That was last week.

[Guest Allie Bloss]

We flew Singapore air 2 years ago and used British britax car seats for our 2 eldest boys and they were a life saver!! The boys were so comfortable they slept most of both flights!!

We just called a week before the flight to confirm it would be ok, but as someone mentioned email is good as you can print it and take with you in case of disagreement!

[Guest guest3462]

We also used britax car seats with our girls and it was fine. We paid an extra fee to pre request our seats to ensure we weren't at the back and we had a really good flight with the girls. The only pain the the bum was carting 2 small children, all the handluggage (which will be heavy if you're on a one way flight!!) and 2 car seats through a very very busy Dubai airport with only an hour to get the connecting flight!!!

[Guest katieb]

Hi All,

 

Just to let u know I have a CARES harness if anyone wants to borrow it :-).

 

Katie